NORTHERN GERMANY MAP
Once a favored vacation spot for East Germans, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the northeastemmost portion of Germany, has suffered economic depression in recent years. To the west, Schleswig-Holstein, which borders Denmark, maintains close ties with Scandinavia. Portly Hamburg is by turns rich and radical. To the south, Bremen is Germany’s smallest state.
Despite its relatively small size, Hanover (pop. 516,000) rivals any European city with its art, culture, and landscape. Broad avenues, enormous pedestrian zones, and endless parks and gardens make the city an example of all that is good in urban planning. The gems of Hanover are the three bountiful HHerren-hausen gardens. The largest, the geometrically trimmed Grofier Garten, holds the Grofie Fontane. one of Europe’s highest-shooting fountains. (Fountain spurts M-F llam-noon and 3-5pm, Sa-Su llam-noon and 2-5pm. Garden open Apr.-Oct. 9am-8pm; Nov.-Mar. 8am-dusk. ‚2.50.) On the outskirts of the Alts-tadt stands the spectacular Neues Rathaus; take the elevator up the tower for a thrilling view of the city. (Open May-Sept. M-F 8am-10pm, Sa-Su lOam-lOpm. Elevator ‚2.) The nearby ISSprengel Museum, Kurt-Schwitters-Pl. hosts the best of 20th-£entury art including Dali, Picasso, and Magritte. (Open Su and W-Sa 10am-6pm, Tu 10am-8pm. Permanent collection ‚3.30, students ‚2; with special exhibits ‚6, students ‚3.50.) Kestner-Museum, Trammpl. 3, majors in decorative arts, with a focus on chairs. (Open Su, Tu and Th-Sa llam-6pm, W llam-8pm. ‚2.60, students ‚1.50. F free.)
Trains leave at least every hour for: Amsterdam (4!2-5hr. ‚40); Berlin (2V£hr. ‚40); Frankfurt (3hr. ‚80); Hamburg (lVfehr. ‚25); and Munich (9hr. ‚130). To reach the tourist office, Emst-August-Pl. 2, head out the main entrance of the train station; facing the large rear of the king’s splendid steed, turn right. ( 16 84 97 00. Open M-F 9am-6pm, Sa 9am-2pm.) iiJugendherberge Hannover (HI) , Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg. 1, is far from the city center, but definitely worth the trek. Take U3 or 7 to Fischerhof. From the stop, backtrack 10m, turn right, cross the tracks, and walk on the path through the school’s parking lot; follow the path as it curves, and cross the street. Go over the red footbridge and turn right. (131 76 74. Breakfast included. Reception daily 7:30am-lam. Dorms ‚19-30, under-27 ‚16-28.) To reach CityHotel am Thlelenplatz O, Thielenpl. 2, take a left onto Joachimstr. from the station and go one block to Thielenpl. ( 32 76 9193. Breakfast included. Checkout 11:30am. Singles ‚40, with shower ‚57; doubles with shower ‚75. Weekends cheaper.) Jalda , Limmerstr. 97, serves Greek and Middle Eastern dishes for ‚4-8. (Open M-Th and Su ll:30am-midnight, F-Sa ll:30am-lam.) Uwe’s Hannenfafi Hanover 0, Knochenhauerstr. 36, in the center of the Altstadt, serves traditional German fare for ‚5-7 and great house brews for ‚3. (Open Su-Th 4pm-2am, F 4pm-4am, Sa noon-4am.) There’s a Spar supermarket by the Lister Meile U-Bahn stop. (Open M-F 7am-7pm, Sa 8am-2pm.) The Loft, Georgstr. 50b, is packed with students on the weekends. (Disco night F and ladies night Sa have ‚3.50 covers. Open W-Sa from 8pm.) Postal Code: 30159.
